tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post4357270449698919518..comments2024-03-29T02:34:55.592-04:00Comments on The CRPG Addict: Pool of Radiance: CombatCRPG Addicthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01238237377918550322noreply@blogger.comBlogger44125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-87144893133825777152023-12-11T13:16:21.082-05:002023-12-11T13:16:21.082-05:00Wow. Thanks for solving this years-old mystery. Wow. Thanks for solving this years-old mystery. CRPG Addicthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01238237377918550322noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-25702536007468301962023-12-10T17:30:31.115-05:002023-12-10T17:30:31.115-05:00Answering in case some reading this is curious, as...Answering in case some reading this is curious, as I ran in the same issue during a recent playthrough of PoR.<br /><br />In the DOS version at each save the game creates a file with the status of the game (.SAV) and an additional file for each character (.CHA).<br /><br />In addition to those, it will create an additional file (.SPC) for each character, apparently in the case the character is affected by a permanent status condition. <br /><br />Deleting that file for the affected character solved the problem for me, without any apparent side effect.<br /><br /> I believe it must be a sort of bug where some kind of status effect was coded in the game but it was either not fully implemented or scrapped at the last minute.Vincenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-28362627722729837692021-04-30T15:15:29.727-04:002021-04-30T15:15:29.727-04:00Years later: the reason low AC is better in AD&...Years later: the reason low AC is better in AD&D is that AC 1 represents "first-class armor."Evil Midnight Lurkernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-53441884182137814852016-08-16T19:12:23.910-04:002016-08-16T19:12:23.910-04:00Another post years after the fact :-)
Backstabbin...Another post years after the fact :-)<br /><br />Backstabbing works something like this:<br />Let the monster attack you (so its "busy")<br />Attack with one character (to "pin" it in place)<br />Attack with the thief from the opposite direction.<br /><br />In PoR its rarely worth the trouble compared to just having another fighter, but in later games, the damage gets insanely big.Weaselhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05873440251698488032noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-14720151052320345882016-04-07T20:15:04.508-04:002016-04-07T20:15:04.508-04:00More differences and musings from the NES port:
...More differences and musings from the NES port:<br /><br /> 1) There's a guard option when delaying, but no attack of opportunity once an enemy comes into melee range.<br /> 2) I used slow poison a few times, but it strangely didn't work as a preventative measure.<br /> 3) Again because I'm really annoyed and disappointed by it, there's no backstabbing. I tried with a long sword. I tried with a dagger. I tried while invisible. No backstabbing. (At least it made Kovel Mansion a bit of a joke.)<br /> 4) The game allows fighters to sweep buccaneers and 1st level thieves as well as goblins and kobolds<br /> 5) Attacks per round are broken. Sometimes I get three attacks per round with darts, sometimes not. 7th level figher did not get 3/2 attacks. Haste did not double the number of attacks, but my fighter did start to get 3/2 attacks. This makes haste mostly useless.<br /> 6) Small quirk, if you aim a figher's attack, they don't sweep. Auto-combat AI always uses the aim command.<br /> 7) Dirten, and really all NPCs are mostly useless with their spells. He'd often cure light wounds himself while at full health surrounded by half-HP companions, or hold already held monsters.Zenic Reveriehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16441583549326102945noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-27532622931130850032015-10-08T03:56:46.839-04:002015-10-08T03:56:46.839-04:00I *was* level drained and did restore, probably ev...I *was* level drained and did restore, probably even about that same time. I've finished the game and will try porting into Azure Bonds. If that doesn't fix it, I'll probably just end up ditching the character. I wanted a paladin when I named him Sir Gideon, anyway.Quirkzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16409671254311123117noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-9564393870019391792015-10-08T02:58:56.606-04:002015-10-08T02:58:56.606-04:00I have some vague recollection of the Ankheg bug, ...I have some vague recollection of the Ankheg bug, but not how I solved the problem.<br />Have you tried spells like Dispel Magic or Cure Disease, or trying to just "sleep it off"?PetrusOctavianusnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-53774201269783830342015-10-07T18:00:26.310-04:002015-10-07T18:00:26.310-04:00My friends and I ran into, literally, dozens of od...My friends and I ran into, literally, dozens of odd bugs when we played this game. I have a feeling you've been hit by one.<br /><br />In one specific case a buddy had a cleric that was level drained, and regained the level through training instead of via a restoration scroll. That cleric bugged fairly heavily after that. <br /><br />Not sure exactly what happened, but the character basically had infinite open hand attacks, that did enough damage to one-shot almost any enemy.<br /><br />Definitely one of the more colorful bugs we encountered. old wow bastardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13219195579845781590noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-78398687207720057422015-10-07T13:12:56.792-04:002015-10-07T13:12:56.792-04:00That's awesome. I really hope you get an answe...That's awesome. I really hope you get an answer.CRPG Addicthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01238237377918550322noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-10627580038275309432015-10-06T20:43:01.614-04:002015-10-06T20:43:01.614-04:00Posting here because who the heck else am I going ...Posting here because who the heck else am I going to ask? I've been plaing PoR. Got into a fight with some anhkegs, and now one of my characters can't move. He can target nearby creatures, but can't take any steps. His character status says he's Okay, and he's not encumbered, so he should be able to take 12 steps. Anyone got any ideas why he's stuck in place, many fights later?Quirkzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16409671254311123117noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-21684462901324049412015-08-28T17:24:48.254-04:002015-08-28T17:24:48.254-04:00Gygax was, primarily, and foremost, a miniatures w...Gygax was, primarily, and foremost, a miniatures wargamer, prior to "creating" D&D.<br /><br />Any of the rule sets he wrote, or that were primarily derived from his works, definitely reflect this orientation.<br /><br />As a result, it makes a ton of sense that the systems he devised would translate so well to a "virtual miniature combat" environment, like the one provided in the Gold Box Games. <br /><br />SSI made a few modifications to the Gygax ruleset, but a lot of the really good stuff is pure Gygax "man it'd be awesome if I could do this in a wargame" kinda stuff. <br /><br />He loved tabletop, he knew what worked with that and what didn't. He knew dropping a 30' radius fireball into a group of baddies felt awesome. As a result it is not surprising that 40+ years later we can still enjoy his rules, this much, when they're presented in the proper context like this.old wow bastardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13219195579845781590noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-87485271502642798812015-05-30T15:30:17.828-04:002015-05-30T15:30:17.828-04:00Thanks for this post, Staf. It answers some linger...Thanks for this post, Staf. It answers some lingering questions I've had about the surrender/flee decision.CRPG Addicthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01238237377918550322noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-41050725996553848882015-05-30T07:14:09.591-04:002015-05-30T07:14:09.591-04:00Reading this recently, I wanted to share my though...Reading this recently, I wanted to share my thoughts on the Flee/Surrender behaivour of Gold Box games.<br /><br />From my experience and what i've read, monsters (and NPC's) have group morale and individual morale which is based on total group HP and individual HP which must both be met before morale breaks.<br /><br />The decision to flee or surrender is based solely on the movement speed of the fastest enemy. Monsters faster than the party will always flee and have 100% chance of escape at map border, monsters at the same speed as the party will flee too, but only have 50% chance to flee at map border. Slower monsters will always surrender, which I always hated<br /> "NO, I don't accept your surrender! You must die and spill your precious XP's and goods.<br /><br />It was one thing I disliked about the Boots of Speed, no one ever tried to flee and get hacked down by my fighters. Maybe I'm too bloodthirsty in these games.Stafnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-79076257133747894412011-06-08T04:00:23.207-04:002011-06-08T04:00:23.207-04:00I remember that in PoD, you could get to some trul...I remember that in PoD, you could get to some truly epic levels--like 40-50--so I guess it's all humans place one non-human thief for me, once I get to CotAB.CRPG Addicthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01238237377918550322noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-85155120812911960922011-06-07T04:49:14.837-04:002011-06-07T04:49:14.837-04:00That should be "the maximum for the other rac...That should be "the maximum for the other races is lvl *11* for an Elf *Mage* with 18 INT".<br /><br />Here is the full table:<br /><br />Maximum Level Limits by Race, Class and Prime Requisite<br /><br />CLASS ABILITY DWARF ELF GNOME HALF-ELF HALFLING HUMAN<br />-------------------------------------------------------------------------<br />Cleric Any No No No 5 No max<br />Fighter STR 16- 7 5 5 6 4 max<br /> STR 17 8 6 5 7 5 max<br /> STR 18+ 9 7 6 8 6 max<br />Paladin Any No No No No No max<br />Ranger STR 16- No No No 6 No max<br /> STR 17 No No No 7 No max<br /> STR 18+ No No No 8 No max<br />Magic-User INT 16- No 9 No 6 No max<br /> INT 17 No 10 No 7 No max<br /> INT 18 No 11 No 8 No max<br />Thief Any max max max max max maxPetrusOctavianusnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-32558817224517766932011-06-07T04:44:58.712-04:002011-06-07T04:44:58.712-04:00Chet, if you want to keep the same characters thro...Chet, if you want to keep the same characters throughout the whole series, the only viable choice is humans for all classes except maybe thief. Humans can reach max level (40), while the maximum for the other races is lvl 12 for an Elf with 18 INT. Non-humans can only reach lvl 40 as thieves. But single class thieves are not very useful, so you may also consider a dual class fighter/thief if you like backstabbing (I do) or mage/thief for extra magick support. Personally I think a dual class fighter/mage is more useful than a mage/thief.<br /><br />Another *very* important thing to consider is that mages must have an INT of 18 and clerices must have a WIS of 18 to be able to cast lvl 9 spells.PetrusOctavianusnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-23778964479255753402011-06-06T21:28:57.953-04:002011-06-06T21:28:57.953-04:00Okay, so I guess the next step is to check the Sot...Okay, so I guess the next step is to check the SotSB manual. Do they keep raising the level caps throughout the series, or do you suddenly find that your elven mage can't rise any more once you get to PoD?CRPG Addicthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01238237377918550322noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-86279622086310029112011-06-06T21:06:53.076-04:002011-06-06T21:06:53.076-04:00I did check the CotAB manual before making my part...I did check the CotAB manual before making my party, and while caps don't go away, they go a bit higher. Humans always have the top level-caps though, only a mage elf with 18 int can be on par in other races.<br />A screenshot of the relevant table :<br />http://www.georgesdimitrov.com/files/CotAB-levelcaps.jpg<br /><br />As for "evil" groundhogs and such : http://static.starcitygames.com/sales/cardscans/MAG6X9/MAG6X9035.jpgGeorgeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10801694109856585537noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-11417042914460901062011-06-06T16:21:07.198-04:002011-06-06T16:21:07.198-04:00Ah! That makes sense on the sleep thing. Thanks, a...Ah! That makes sense on the sleep thing. Thanks, anon. I had forgotten about "hit dice."<br /><br />Petrus, I was in search mode through most of it, but when I turned it off it didn't seem to make any difference. I eventually did resort to just buffaloing my way past fights, but earlier I'd been hoping that if I fought enough of them, I'd clear the area. I guess that doesn't happen until you take down the Temple of Bane.<br /><br />JJ, I've used the wall/stinking cloud trick but the only way I can be sure it's going to work is if I surprise the enemy so all my characters can go first. Otherwise, I get half of them around the wall, and then the enemy rushes up to the other half and I can't move them unless I want to get hacked while fleeing.<br /><br />Silver weapons do work against wights, but by the time you're there, you generally have everyone equipped with magic stuff.<br /><br />Georges, do the level caps go away in subsequent Gold Box games? I should have checked the CotAB manual before making my PoR decisions.<br /><br />Lame Brain, that was awesome--and terrifying.D&D has giant bears, giant badgers, and so on. Why not giant ground hogs?CRPG Addicthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01238237377918550322noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-35722222082113652382011-06-06T13:18:19.310-04:002011-06-06T13:18:19.310-04:00Yeah, I know about level-cap frustration... and I&...Yeah, I know about level-cap frustration... and I'm into it right now in this game. But I planned my party to go through a bunch of gold-box games, I didn't want to be limited by the non-human level-caps (I only put a mage elf, it seemed high enough).Georgeshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10801694109856585537noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-67537889240615073802011-06-06T12:37:38.095-04:002011-06-06T12:37:38.095-04:00I loved your screenshot of the Hobgoblin boss so m...I loved your screenshot of the Hobgoblin boss so much, that I had to do my own version...<br /><br />http://thelamebrain.files.wordpress.com/2011/06/dramticchipmunk_por.jpg<br /><br />if you are interested.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-6319117957181709592011-06-06T08:57:21.273-04:002011-06-06T08:57:21.273-04:00Dear CRPG,
Good post. I like your presentation of...Dear CRPG,<br /><br />Good post. I like your presentation of tactics. I too use Guard a lot for advancing enemies who have no missiles of spells. I also like to put up Stinking cloud in front of the melee line just before the enemy arrives to really trip them up. Meanwhile, I am also hitting them with spells. <br /><br />If the enemy has magic and missile users, I go on the attack and target the above as quickly as possible. <br /><br />One fun thing you sometimes can do is use the terrain, like you said, I will hide characters behind walls and try to flank enemies. In the Sokal Keep fight, I moved my party to room to the south and blocked the exits with clouds and used missle weapons until they started to surrender. <br /><br />I too hate the level drain and find it a pain. I forget, do silver weapons help against the wights? Or could normal weapons work?JJnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-18482133512836294082011-06-06T05:58:14.461-04:002011-06-06T05:58:14.461-04:00Correction to the last post: Sleep affects 2d4 _hi...Correction to the last post: Sleep affects 2d4 _hit dice_ of creatures. This means that depending on your roll, it could affect eight kobolds, or fail to affect even one 3 HD ogre. So yeah, there actually is random chance involved - my mistake (though it still doesn't allow a save and there should be an overwhelming probability of catching at least one enemy if they're not flat out immune to Sleep).Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-82871769081179702152011-06-06T05:52:41.039-04:002011-06-06T05:52:41.039-04:00"Dude & Petrus, my exploration of the Wea..."Dude & Petrus, my exploration of the Wealthy District and Temple of Bane today did get a little tiresome with the battles. I was encountering them about every third step. I eventually put the computer on quickplay and let it fight while I wrote the blog. "<br /><br />Is your party wandering about in search mode?<br />Anyway, when you mention it, the Wealthy District was one of the more annoying areas of the game, but not using Search and using diplomacy (read: bullying) the random encounters weren't that bad.PetrusOctavianusnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6162314467762792782.post-84528896468865220752011-06-06T05:37:08.125-04:002011-06-06T05:37:08.125-04:00"Anon, I don't know about the rules, but ...<i>"Anon, I don't know about the rules, but I've used it against orcs sometimes and I'll have four go down and four stay awake. Don't they get saving throws just like me?"</i><br /><br />Sleep allows no saving throw: that's what makes it so powerful. However, the number of creatures affected is rolled randomly with 2d4.<br /><br />That's the pen-and-paper version anyway. It's possible that the gold box engine has a different implementation.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com